Niseko Now: Thursday 18th February 2021
- Feb 18, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 24cm
Snowfall at base this season 1047cm
Posted on Thursday 18th February 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A few lifts actually (perhaps surprisingly) got to open yesterday as conditions calmed a bit, including the gondolas at Hirafu and Village though not top lifts.
The storm hasn't totally passed yet. We have more snow and it still windy. At the moment it is just snowing lightly and actually seems to be easing off.
Limited lift operations again at the start of this morning, though there may be changes at short notice like yesterday depending on conditions.
Snow conditions will be deep... but potentially very dangerous with avalanche risk high. Snow on the courses will still be great, and safer. If you are here and excited about the snow, that's totally natural but please take all the sensible precautions. Check the messages in the Avalanche report below.
Tomorrow will hopefully be calmer. I'm going to wait until then and get some quality time in - learning the art of preparing a perfect piece of toast!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data 6:25am. Cape Benkei:NNW17m/s. Cape Kamui: WNW15m/s, 993hPa, wave4.3m. Hanazono 1000m: -9.1℃, WNW16m/s. Hanazono 720: 6.4℃, NW10.4m/s. Moiwa 800m: -6.7℃, NNE15.4m/s. Annupuri 1100m: n/a. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -8.8℃, WNW2.9m/s. Mizuno no Sawa Top: -7.9℃, WNW8.4m/s. Kutchan Town: -2.4℃, WNW7.9m/s, snow depth 200cm, 993.1hPa. Moiwa base: -4.5, light wind, snow, 25cm in last 12 hrs.
Due to the slow moving 970hPa low pressure system, heavy seas, blizzard conditions above 800m and snowdrift instability continue. From this morning's observation, data and the snowfall transition, the avalanche risk is high on snowdrift slopes at all elevations and aspects. Peak gates will be closed as an accident prevention measure. Most winter avalanches occur when wind blown snow rapidly deposits on a snow drift slope and then the whole slope collapses. Always be extra careful during storms. Although winds are light and the snow is good on the leeward side of a ridge, it may be an avalanche waiting to happen. The weather is still bad. Stay off steep slopes, knolls and under cornices with heavy snow. Do not go into the creek valley bottoms, they are the avalanche paths. When the isobars spread out the weather will calm. Have a good day.
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Planned ski area operations: Thursday 18th February 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning from official sources.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 35cm
- Base: 35cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 470cm (+10cm)
- Base: 245cm (+5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: At time of writing just the lower Ace Family quad
- Ace Family Quad and Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 20cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 310cm (-5cm)
- Base: 220cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: First two lifts
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 40cm
- Base: 20cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+0cm)
- Base: 210cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Dream quad, Jumbo 1 and 2
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
24 hours new snowfall (as reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 10cm
- Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 270cm (+10cm)
- Base: 230cm (+10cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Planned: Community, Morino and Banzai chair
- Community Chair lift operates for night skiing
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021. There is no night skiing in the Niseko HANAZONO area.
The Ace Pair Number 1, 3 and 4, King Pair Number 1 lift and King Quad Number 2 lifts are being rested for the season at Niseko Grand Hirafu. There may be other lift operation changes at the moment due to coronavirus situation. Do be sure to check for details with ski areas.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Thursday 18th February 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 1047cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 73 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 48cm (17th February) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 387cm reported on 27 days February 2021 snowfall 250cm reported on 15 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.